Thursday, February 25, 2010

On a recent school visit, I couldn't help but smile at this juxtaposition. While the Battle of the Books isn't a collection of books that are battling each other, it is a superb list of books that students in a district read and then compete in a spelling-bee-type trivia contest.

Perhaps this can give my buddy and neighbor, Jeanne, some inspiration for a sequel?

PENDERWICKS: a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits and a cage match of DOOM!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Cooperative Children's Book Center has gone and bestowed quite the honor on me and I am blushing. They've listed not one, but all three current Lunch Lady titles on their best-of-the-year list.

From the CCBC:

CCBC Choicesis the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. The Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) is a unique examination, study and research library of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information and the complete list of choices, please visit:http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/default.asp

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

To all my friends on the nohth shoa' -- I'll be heading your way soon!

My work will be on display in two great exhibits. In Wenham, I'll be exhibiting alongside old friend and über talented illustrator Kelly Murphy at the Gallery Della-Piana. That show will go up on February 27th and be up through April 24th. I will be on hand to read from and sign my books on March 5th from 4:30-6. (152 Main St Wenham, MA 01984)

My work will also be on display at Wavepaint Gallery in Ipswich, MA. This is a group exhibit and will feature many talented published illustrators. Unfortunately, my schedule prohibits me from attending the events surroundingthis exhibit.This show goes up on March 1st and comes down on April 17th. (4 Market Street, Ipswich MA 01938)

Friday, February 12, 2010

I am honored to be providing the artwork for the Target House carnivals held at St. Jude hospital. Target House is a breathtaking facility where patients of St. Jude hospital can stay free of charge. In addition to the wonderful (and very creative) housing Target provides, they also host five carnival parties per year for the patients. The centerpiece of each event is a giant 14 ft tall banner.

This piece that I created for the event was blown up to be that 14 foot tall banner and was also used as other signage and memorabilia for the event.

The Target House mascot is an elephant, so every piece that I create will have an elephant. This has been such a creatively fun and open project to work on. And I can't even begin to describe the immense feeling of purpose I have when creating this artwork.

I hope that you enjoy this painting and have a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

If you are browsing the comics rack at your local bookstore, check out some of the titles DC puts out for kids. You may just come across a Lunch Lady ad. This is a complete thrill for me, because I grew up devouring comic books, heading to my local comic shop on a weekly basis. Many of those ads bring back such fond memories of Atari and Kool-Aid.

I couldn't help but look up some of those old ads... Thank you, Internet.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Hey gang -- I have just added a new tour date to my calendar. I'll be bringing some Lunch Lady tomfoolery to the Target stage at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Look for me on the west coast on April 24th. I don't have the exact time yet, but I'll be sure to post it when I do. Rumor has it, I'll be going on just before "The Fonz".

Monday, February 01, 2010

If you have kids who love music and you haven't picked up one of Recess Monkey's DVDs, I encourage you to do so. They're kind of like an indie-rock Mr. Rodgers...with a monkey puppet. Last summer, Mayor Monkey interviewed me in my studio. That explosive tell-all is featured in the band's latest DVD, which can be found here.

About JJK

Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the author and/or illustrator of over thirty books for young readers. He can be heard weekly on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live and his TED Talks have accumulated nearly two million views online. Learn more at StudioJJK.com or follow @StudioJJK.